Integrated knife assembly

Abstract

The present invention is related to an apparatus for cutting webs of material, including a first revolving member and a second revolving member having cutting elements integrated therein. Said revolving members, respectively, define a cutting region therebetween and supporting elements, respectively, assigned to said revolving elements within said cutting region. Said second revolving member comprises a belt assembly having a layered structure, said cutting elements mounted within said layered structure.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. Apparatus for cutting webs of material, including: 
       a first revolving member;  
       a second revolving member having cutting elements integrated therein; and  
       a first supporting element and a second supporting element, defining a cutting region therebetween, each having surfaces for supporting said revolving members against each other within said cutting region, thereby activating said cutting elements, and said revolving members are located between said first and second supporting elements.  
     
     
       2. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , 
       wherein said first revolving member is a transport belt revolving about an endless loop.  
     
     
       3. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , 
       wherein said second revolving member is a layered structure revolving about an endless loop.  
     
     
       4. Apparatus according to  claim 2 , 
       wherein said first supporting element is integrated into said endless loop of said first revolving member about deviation rollers.  
     
     
       5. Apparatus according to  claim 3 , 
       wherein said second supporting element is integrated into said endless loop of said second revolving member about deviation rollers.  
     
     
       6. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , 
       wherein said second revolving member comprises an opening assigned to each of the cutting elements.  
     
     
       7. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , 
       wherein said first and second revolving members, respectively, have a multi-component structure.  
     
     
       8. Apparatus according to  claim 7 , 
       wherein said first revolving element is a belt comprising a plurality of laterally extending cut rubber portions.  
     
     
       9. Apparatus according to  claim 7 , 
       wherein said second revolving element is a belt assembly comprising a substrate layer.  
     
     
       10. Apparatus according to  claim 9 , 
       wherein said substrate layer has a substantially flat surface contacting said second supporting element.  
     
     
       11. Apparatus according to  claim 9 , 
       wherein said substrate layer has a toothed surface facing inwards with respect to an endless loop.  
     
     
       12. Apparatus according to  claim 9 , 
       wherein said substrate layer includes a reinforcing member.  
     
     
       13. Apparatus according to  claim 12 , 
       wherein said reinforcing member substantially extends in a longitudinal direction of said substrate layer.  
     
     
       14. Apparatus according to  claim 12 , 
       wherein said reinforcing member is a cord.  
     
     
       15. Apparatus according to  claim 12 , 
       wherein said reinforcing member is comprised of fibres.  
     
     
       16. Apparatus according to  claim 12 , 
       wherein said reinforcing member is comprised of Kevlar-fibres.  
     
     
       17. Apparatus according to  claim 9 , 
       wherein said substrate layer includes a mounting groove for said cutting elements.  
     
     
       18. Apparatus according to  claim 17 , 
       wherein said mounting groove is a T-slot, surrounding a knife base of said cutting element.  
     
     
       19. Apparatus according to  claim 17 , 
       wherein said mounting groove is arranged on top of said substrate layer.  
     
     
       20. Apparatus according to  claim 17 , 
       wherein said mounting groove is arranged on a bottom of said substrate layer.  
     
     
       21. Apparatus according to  claim 12 , 
       wherein said reinforcing members secure said cutting elements onto said substrate layer.  
     
     
       22. Apparatus according to  claim 12 , 
       wherein said reinforcing member extends through openings of said cutting elements, embedding said cutting elements within said substrate layer.  
     
     
       23. Apparatus according to  claim 1 , 
       wherein at least one of said cutting elements has a flexible knife base.  
     
     
       24. Apparatus according to  claim 23 , 
       wherein said spring-shaped knife base is activated upon impact thereof with a surface of a second supporting element.  
     
     
       25. Apparatus according to  claim 23 , 
       wherein said spring-shaped knife base is released upon disengaging of said knife base from a surface of a supporting element.  
     
     
       26. Folder having an apparatus for cutting webs of material including: 
       a first revolving member;  
       a second revolving member having cutting elements integrated therein; and  
       supporting elements, defining a cutting region therebetween, each having surfaces for supporting said revolving members against each other within said cutting region, thereby activating said cutting elements, and said revolving members are located between said first and second supporting elements.